Winter 2015 Newsletter--Greater Cleveland Food Bank

Winter 2015

Valerie, Miles Park neighborhood

You’re helping Northeast Ohioans of all ages!

Dear caring friends, As we begin this New Year, I’m excited to introduce our newly appointed President and CEO, Kristin Warzocha.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

BOARD CHAIR Shirley Stineman, Northeast Ohio Media Group SECRETARY Darnell Brown, City of Cleveland TREASURER Christine Dahm VICE CHAIR Carrie Carpenter, Charter One VICE CHAIR Anthony C. Rego, Giant Eagle, Inc.

DIRECTORS

Patricia Ackerman, Chalkdust Education Foundation Joan U. Allgood, Joan U. Allgood Co., LPA Kristen Baird Adams, PNC Micki Byrnes, WKYC TV-3 Loren Chylla, The Adcom Group Reverend Jawanza Colvin, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church William H. Coquillette John R. Corlett, Center for Community Solutions John Cymanski, Heinen’s, Inc. M. Gayle Doucette Jim Francis Anita Gray, Anti-Defamation League Wayne Hill, University of Akron Amy Kaplan, Jewish Federation of Cleveland Lou Keim, The Centers for Families and Children Kristin Kirkpatrick,MS, RD, LD. Cleveland Clinic Richard Maxfield, Cargill Deicing Technology Cynthia Moore-Hardy, Lake Health Nick Orlando, Jr., Orlando Baking Company Jim Patterson, Patterson Fruit Farms John Sauerland, Progressive, Inc. Felton Thomas, Cleveland Public Library Ann Weinzimmer, Eaton Corporation Doug Yost, Walmart, Inc.

PRESIDENT AND CEO Kristin Warzocha

Although Kristin just took the reins as CEO in November, she’s been tirelessly fighting hunger on behalf of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank for more than a decade. As Vice President of External Affairs, she worked diligently to engage donors, volunteers and the general public — all so we can better serve our hungry neighbors.

Kristin’s guidance will be key in reaching our aggressive goal of ensuring everyone in our community has the nutritious food they need every day.

Please join me in welcoming Kristin as she takes on this new role. Thank you for your continued support.

Fellow hunger-relief advocates, It’s truly an honor to be able to serve as the Food Bank’s President and CEO. I want to thank you for your support of this work.

Over the past 14 years, I’ve been humbled and inspired by the commitment of the staff, volunteers and our supporters — and I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming months.

I’ve spent most of my career addressing hunger in Northeast Ohio. With your continued generosity and support, I know we can provide more healthy meals than ever before.

We’re already preparing to grow several key programs in 2015. This year we’ll provide access to 1.5 million more meals, expand our children’s and senior feeding programs and offer even more nutrition and poverty education in the community.

I hope I can count on your partnership this New Year. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

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Judi, Parma, OH

• 44% of those receiving food from our member agencies are children and seniors.

• Many of our clients are making tough choices and trade-offs to keep food on the table.

• 64% report choosing between paying for food and paying for utilities, up from 40% in 2010.

• 62% report choosing between paying for food and paying for medicine.

Older Adults Have Renewed Hope, Thanks to You Judi, 69, may be retired, but she’s been hard at work for the past several years. After working for quite a while in medical billing, she’s now full-time caregiver for her two adult children and her brother, who have all developed serious health problems — from cancer to kidney disease to fibromyalgia.

Between her Social Security benefits and her family members’ meager disability checks, it can be difficult to pay for the basics, including food.

Thankfully, a friend told her about the Parma Hunger Center at Parma Lutheran Church, a Food Bank partner agency near her home. Judi visits the pantry every two months to pick up groceries, which she uses to make nutritious meals for her family.

“I’m very grateful and feel very blessed to be able to come here,” she says.

Judi admits that she often worries about having enough money to take care of her family. But thanks to you, she and thousands of other Northeast Ohioans facing similar circumstances have access to healthy food while they make the effort to become more self-sufficient.

“This is very helpful.”

It’s not clear when her family will be on firmer financial footing, but in the meantime, she’s thankful she can count on friends like you who support the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

Judi doesn’t know where her family would be without your generosity. “This is very helpful,” she says with a smile.

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Thank You for Helping People of All Ages Earmon, Garfield Heights, OH

Jalen, Hough neighborhood Jessica, Parma, OH

Linda, Westlake, OH

Ydalis, Stockyards neighborhood

Harvest for Hunger 2015 Kicks Off in February!

Last year was another record-breaking year for the Harvest for Hunger campaign — more than 17 million meals were made possible for hungry people in Northeast Ohio. Harvest for Hunger is a collaborative effort of four food banks covering 21 Northeast Ohio counties and runs through the spring. The 2015 drive is critically important as the need for food in our area continues to increase. The food and funds raised will provide free, nutritious food to local hot meal programs, pantries and shelters. This year’s co-chairs are Andrea Hogben from Northeast Ohio Media Group and Bernie Moreno from The Collection Auto Group. Our kickoff is scheduled for February 24 at 9 a.m. here at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

There are several ways you can support the campaign: CHECK OUT HUNGER Shop at participating supermarkets February 22 through April 4 and ask your cashier to scan a $10, $5 or $1 donation coupon as you “Check Out Hunger.”

Local Legislators Volunteer HOST A FOOD & FUNDS DRIVE Join the more than 200 businesses, schools, churches and other organizations conducting a food and funds drive. Visit HarvestForHunger.org for details and to learn how to register your drive.

VOLUNTEER Your time and effort at the Food Bank will help us provide food more efficiently and effectively to those in need.

MARKET AT THE FOOD BANK Join us Sunday, May 3 for the annual Market at the Food Bank.

Enjoy signature dishes from more than 50 of Cleveland’s best restaurants, samples from area beverage purveyors, entertainment and the chance to bid on exciting one-of-a-kind packages!

MAKE A DONATION Visit HarvestForHunger.org to make a donation online or mail your check today.

Local legislators recently came to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to show their holiday spirit by helping at our monthly produce distribution. We rely on state and federal support to stock our shelves, and their support is critical to our efforts. The following legislators and staff were present: Caryn Candisky from Senator Portman’s office, Jacob Smith from Senator Kaptur’s office, Senator John Eklund, Senator Kenny Yuko, Mayor Susan Drucker (Solon), Mayor David Roche (Richmond Heights) County Councilman Pernel Jones, County Councilman Jack Schron, City Councilman Mike Polensek and several county council staff.

Special Thanks to the Sponsors of Our Holiday Match and Double Your Dollar Day Volunteers took over the phones at WKYC Channel 3 for one entire day in December. Viewers were encouraged to call in to make a gift, and their gifts were matched thanks to the following organizations and individuals: Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association Dominion Foundation Mindful Mondays Group General Motors Medical Mutual MetroHealth Quake Energy Jennifer and Niklas Gerborg Julie and Peter Raskind The Frederick W. and Janet P. Dorn Foundation Walgreens Dollar Bank Dunkin' Donuts

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Co-Founder of Mindful Mondays Raises Awareness About Hunger Father Daniel Schlegel has been at the Church of the Holy Angels in Chagrin Falls since 2002. In that time, he’s worked closely with other faith leaders on a variety of service projects. One that he’s particularly excited about is Mindful Mondays, an initiative of the Chagrin Valley Council of Churches.

grateful for the Food Bank’s focus on providing healthy meals to people in need, including fresh fruits and vegetables.

Every Monday night, diners can present a coupon at one of several local eateries. When they do, the restaurant will donate 10 percent of the patron’s bill to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. The initiative is beneficial for both the restaurants and the Food Bank since Monday is typically a slow night in the food service industry. So far, the Council has enlisted participation from 10 restaurants.

“It’s a great feeling to see people get involved with the mission of the Food Bank,” he says. “It fills me with hope.”

In addition to Mindful Mondays, Father Dan is involved with parish food pantries and other activities that raise awareness about the problem of hunger. He says many people in Northeast Ohio are still experiencing financial difficulties, and for them, the Food Bank is a lifeline.

Tomorrow’s Harvest is a society that recognizes individuals who have included the Greater Cleveland Food Bank in their estate plans through a will, trust, annuity, life insurance gift or other legacy gift. Through these special gifts, our supporters are able to make a significant difference in our community, even beyond their lifetimes. Because, as long as there are hungry people in Northeast Ohio, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank will be here to feed them.

With little money to spend, Father Dan says a lot of families can’t afford the most nutritious food. That’s why he’s especially

OUR MISSION:

Working together to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day.

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“Fast food is often cheaper than buying produce at the store,” he says. “You’re making it easier for everyone to eat healthy.”

Father Dan knows it will take time and a lot of work to solve hunger in our community. But lately, he’s been inspired by the efforts of his parishioners — especially the youth — who have been volunteering at the Food Bank’s distribution center.

Join Tomorrow’s Harvest

To learn more about how your generosity could make an impact for generations to come, please contact Stacey McKinley, development officer at 216-738-2056 or smckinley@ClevelandFoodBank.org.

You’re Feeding Hungry Families This Winter

Don, North Olmsted, OH

About a year ago, Don lost his job in maintenance because his eyesight became so impaired that he could no longer drive to work. Losing his only source of income was a huge blow — Don’s a hard worker, so it’s been difficult adjusting to unemployment.

Today he relies on his disability check and a small amount of help from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) to provide for himself, his son, Logan, and his daughter, Jasmine. But it’s not always enough.

Fortunately, Don learned about Oxcart Food Pantry in North Olmsted, Ohio, a Greater Cleveland Food Bank partner agency, through Logan’s school. The food he picks up goes a long way toward filling the gaps in the family’s grocery budget. It allows him to stock up on fresh produce, shelf-stable canned goods and frozen items that he can share with his children.

Families like Don’s wouldn’t have regular access to nutritious food without your help. Because you give, Don doesn’t have to choose between heating his home and putting food on the table during the winter.

Over the holidays, Don, Logan and Jasmine were thrilled to receive winter clothing, blankets, bedding and more through an adopt-a-family program at Oxcart. Don’s eyes light up when he talks about the surprise — it meant so much to him to see his kids’ excitement.

“Thank you — thank you very much.”

As he adjusts to his new situation, Don’s focusing on his health.

He recently accepted the food pantry’s Apple-a-Day challenge for clients who commit to eating at least one apple every day for a month. Each participant is entered to win a Giant Eagle gift card.

Your support of the Food Bank is giving hope to Don and his family. He’s so grateful for everything they’ve been given. “Thank you — thank you very much,” he says. “It really helps us out!”

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Your Support Is Helping Seniors Thrive

Nellie Mae, Central neighborhood

After 30 years working in the county’s social services department, Nellie Mae, 86, has been retired for more than 20 years. She lives alone in Cleveland, where she looks forward to regular visits from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She’s proud of her family and boasts of their success.

But life isn’t easy for Nellie Mae and it never has been. While her children were still young, she endured the loss of her husband and one of her four children. Even in the midst of her grief, she had to work hard to support her family on her own.

The fact that they’re doing well now is even more meaningful to Nellie Mae, considering all they’ve gone through.

Although she receives some Social Security benefits and a pension from her 30 years of public service, Nellie Mae only has $44 left each month after all her bills are paid. It’s just not enough to buy all the nutritious food she needs.

“I appreciate what you’re doing!”

To help make her food budget stretch further, Nellie Mae began making monthly trips to St. Vincent de Paul’s Woodland Ozanam Pantry, a partner agency of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Here, she can find nourishing food that will keep her healthy and full of energy.

Nellie Mae is an active member of several community groups and still drives herself most places. She even insists on carrying her own groceries to the car at the food pantry because, she says with a laugh, she’s determined not to get lazy.

Thanks to you, Nellie Mae is able to spend less time worrying about making ends meet, and more time enjoying her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She’s deeply thankful for your generosity.

“I appreciate what you’re doing!” she says with genuine gratitude.

Nellie Mae would be hungry today without your generosity.

But because you donate to the Food Bank, seniors across Northeast Ohio can receive support in the form of food when they need it most.

15500 South Waterloo Road Cleveland, OH 44110 GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org 216.738.2265

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